AGRONOMIC AND TEST INFORMATION: LUBBOCK
TEST: 2014 Irrigated Grain Sorghum Performance Test
LOCATION: Texas A&M AgriLife Research Center, Lubbock, Texas
COOPERATORS: Dr. Gary Peterson and Mr. Mark Stelter
SOIL TYPE: Amarillo loam
ROW WIDTH: 40”
PREVIOUS CROP: Sorghum
LAND PREPARATION: Chiseled, disked, bedded
DATE PLANTED: May 21, 2014
PLANT POPULATION: Seeds were packaged to obtain a final plant population between 52,000 plants per acre
PLOT LENGTH: 2 rows 17'
FERTILIZER: 80-0-0 (liquid N) applied April 25, 2014
HERBICIDE: Applied 1.0 qt/A of Atrazine post-plant. Dual applied 1pt/A over-the-top four weeks after planting.
INSECTICIDE: None
RAINFALL: May- 5.27”, June-2.76”, July-2.55”, August-0.63”, September-5.29”; Total-16.50
IRRIGATIONS: One pre-plant. One in-season of approximately 4.50 acre inches on July 31.
DATE HARVESTED: October 7-8
SIZE HARVESTED PLOT: 17 foot of row
TEST DESIGN: Randomized complete block
NUMBER ENTRIES: 47
NUMBER REPLICATIONS: 4
NUMBER ROWS/PLOT: 2
TEST MEAN: 4,244 lbs/A
TEST C.V.: 17.61
COMMENTS:
This was an average test with normal temperatures and growing season precipitation. The test area was pre-irrigated and planted on May 21 into an excellent seed bed. Due to excellent rainfall (May – 5.27”, June – 2.76” and August – 2.55”) the test received only one post-plant irrigation approximately 70 days after planting. Normal irrigation protocol is for two post-plant irrigations, approximately 30 and 60 days after planting. Average grain yields (test mean of 4,244 lbs/A, CV of 17.61) were obtained.
The test received excellent agronomic care. There was no weed, disease or insect pressure in the test. After flowering flash tape was deployed in the test area as a bird deterrent. Due to high bird pressure only 6 entries did not sustain bird damage. Approximately 5.29” of rain in September contributed to grain weathering in the test. Prior to harvest all plots were visually scored for grain weathering.
All plots (17’ gross length) were harvest on October 7-8 with a John Deere plot combine. Grain yield was adjusted to 14% moisture.